Communal clash: Ebonyi withdraws N100m rehabilitation fund over fresh attacks

The Ebonyi government says it has withdrawn the N100 million set aside for rehabilitating Effium and Ezza-Effium communities in the state.

The communities, located in Ohaukwu LGA, have been involved in communal clashes that have led to killings and destruction of properties.

TheCable had reported that some residents have also fled their homes over fear of more attacks.

Following efforts by the government to restore peace to the area, a rehabilitation fund of N100 million was set aside to sponsor developmental projects in the areas.

However, according to a statement issued on Thursday by Uchenna Orji, Ebonyi commissioner for information and state orientation, the deployment of the fund has been suspended until the communities embrace peace.

“It is noteworthy to mention that the State Government, in considering the conditions of the people especially the aged and other vulnerable persons, did set aside the sum of One Hundred Million Naira (N100,000,000,00) in the first instance to rehabilitate these helpless people both at Effium and Ezza-Effium with a view to mitigating the socio-economic conditions of the people,” the statement reads.

“Wherefore Executive Council considered that whereas the State Government has sought the opinions of Effium and Ezza-Effium leaders on the project for the rehabilitation of their people, Ezza-Effium agreed for the building projects for the affected persons, whereas Effium natives resisted any such projects in any part of Effium.

“Whereas they have failed to agree on the project that will be mutually beneficial to Effium and Ezza-Effium and whereas Government has noticed unwarranted incidents of attack on the military and police formations assigned to restore peace and order in the afflicted community, Government condemns the disagreement by the stakeholders of both groups of Effium/Ezza-Effium community and the senseless attacks especially on the security agencies deployed to ensure the security of the people of Effium/Ezza-Effium.

“Government and other well meaning leaders of the State, including elders council, founding fathers, religious leaders and the deputy governor, together with the members of the panel of inquiry on the Effium/Ezza-Effium communal disturbances have done everything possible to stop this needless carnage.

“It is therefore obvious that the stakeholders and the youths are the reason for these lingering disputations. Government will continue to do everything possible to protect the lives and properties of the people of Effium/Ezza-Effium.

“However, Executive Council took a decision to withdraw the said sum of N100m pending when the two groups will submit to the part of peace.”

The commissioner added that the state executive council also decided that “without prejudice to the elected public servants, no person from Effium/Ezza-Effium shall be appointed into the state public service till such a time government is convinced about their commitment to peace in their community”.

“Government may consider stopping further execution of government infrastructural programmes in that community until total peace is returned,” he added.